Alcorn State grad ready to tackle cybersecurity after early start

Zyrus Craft’s journey at Alcorn State University began earlier than most. At just 17, the Mount Olive, Mississippi, native arrived on campus, a recent high school graduate eager to make his mark and embark on a unique collegiate experience.

Mount Olive, a small town known as the cherished home of football legends Fred and Steve McNair, profoundly shaped Craft’s foundational values. Growing up within a close-knit community where neighbors knew and supported one another, he was instilled with the enduring principles of hard work, unwavering faith, and steadfast determination – beliefs he carried with him to Alcorn State.

“Growing up in Mount Olive, you learn the value of community and pushing yourself,” Craft reflected. “Seeing what the McNair brothers achieved showed me that big things can come from small places if you dedicate yourself.”

Arriving on campus, Craft, who readily described himself as a “big fellow” harboring even bigger aspirations, was not only eager to begin his academic pursuits but also to contribute to the university’s athletic program. His early enrollment was intertwined with the demands of football, requiring him to arrive and begin training before the traditional start of the academic year.

“With me, it was a lot of things to do with football as well,” Craft explained. “I was coming in like, you know, going in early, starting early. At the same time, I also looked at it as like, I’m starting early for school as well. I’m going on campus early, I’m getting to the classes early to my major.”

Craft also strategically leveraged opportunities available to him in high school, enrolling in numerous dual enrollment classes. This proactive approach to his education allowed him to accelerate his academic progress, ultimately enabling him to graduate high school ahead of schedule and seamlessly transition into university life at an earlier age than many of his peers.

Driven by a profound sense of civic responsibility and a desire to safeguard communities akin to his own, Craft pursued a challenging dual major in Geospatial Engineering and Homeland Security. This demanding course of study required considerable dedication, long nights spent studying, and the navigation of complex academic material. Throughout these challenges, Craft consistently drew strength from the core values instilled in him during his upbringing in Mount Olive.

For Craft, Alcorn State University transcended the traditional role of an academic institution; it evolved into a supportive and nurturing environment that he fondly regarded as his “second family.” The consistent encouragement and unwavering belief he received from his professors, athletic coaches, and fellow students proved instrumental in his ability to persevere and overcome every obstacle that arose during his academic journey.

Now, after graduating with his impressive dual degrees, Craft is filled with anticipation for the next significant phase of his educational and professional development. He is poised to pursue a Master’s degree in the increasingly critical field of Cybersecurity. His aspirations in this area are deeply rooted in a desire to apply his knowledge and skills to the vital task of protecting essential digital infrastructure and making meaningful contributions to national security.

“What started in Mount Olive as a young man with a dream has grown into a purpose-driven journey that I will always be proud of,” Craft affirmed. “Thank you, Alcorn, for helping me write this chapter of my story.” His journey, from the small-town roots of Mount Olive to the promising horizons of cybersecurity, stands as a testament to his dedication and the transformative impact of his time at Alcorn State University.